San Beda Red Cubs nab NCAA juniors’ championship, complete perfect season

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda completed a perfect run in the NCAA season 89 juniors’ basketball championship, sweeping La Salle-Greenhills in the finals to get their fifth straight crown.

The Red Cubs, who rode an 18-game winning streak entering the final round, defeated the tough Greenies 65-59 in game two at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday.

Another strong start in the finals bolstered the assault of San Beda, which was armed with a thrice-to-beat edge, as it opened a 28-8 lead.

“Kinilabutan nga ako, ganda ng start namin eh [I got goosebumps with our great start]. Very explosive,” said JV Sison, who continued Brit Reroma’s winning tradition in the juniors’ division.

But the Red Cubs were later on slowed down by league MVP Prince Rivero and La Salle-Greenhills, who gave the defending champions all they could handle.

“Mabigat yung Rivero talaga [He’s really a big factor for them],” said Sison of Rivero, who had 15 points and 18 rebounds for the Greenies.

Red Cubs, meanwhile, had Philippine Youth standouts on their side and they shone anew with Ranbill Tongco leading with 17, Joshua Caracut 14, Arvin Tolentino 12 and Adven Diputado 10.

The Red Cubs frustrated the final run of the Greenies, who pulled to within just four, 56-60, in the winding minutes of the match.

“We could execute, even the basics line, the screens… So they were able to come close. But we just called a time-out to fix it,” Sison said.

San Beda, which wound up with an incredible 20-0 card this season, bagged their 21th title in history.